 He began work at the age of 12 and worked on the railways, at the docks and in engineering shops; he was also a commercial traveller.In 1915, he became a full-time organiser for the Workers' Union, covering a new East Midlands district, serving until 1918, when he became an official for the National Union of Dock, Riverside and General Workers.Following its merger, he transferred into the Transport and General Workers' Union.